+1

swishnicholson wrote:

Ace Rothstein wrote:

Stripes wrote:Judge Judy just signed a new contract. $47 million per yr.

not sure how her arm is.

smh

Is she an RBI woman?

Strictly a bench player.

Hero

thats mean

But funny

had to double check that it wasn't an Onion article.

I donated.

I hope this is the right thread -- but serious question about Howard --

Is there a precedent for a guy having such a steep decline like this? I had always expected (hoped) that he would age like Big Papi. Not be the fearsome MVP candidate of his mid-20's, but a reliable slugger well in to his 30's.

Has anyone done a deep dive of theories on what happened to Ryan? I know the injury, I know the family stuff -- but that's not enough. I know he always struggled some with left-handed hitting and the shift has hurt him. But often-times a veteran hitter with power rep, is good at getting walks too.

Did he just "lose it" completely? Is it a mental thing? Did he lose bat speed. Is there a predominant theory about him?

I just feel terrible for the guy. To be an MVP and slug 58 home runs, and then struggle to bat .200 - while making top 15 slugger in baseball money -- ouch.

I'm over the pain for us fans -- of not having a competitive team. Or Ryan and Chase keeping their numbers up to be in HOF discussions. I'd just like to see the guy hit .260 with 27 hrs and 93 rbi. -- Anything can change I guess - but it really doesn't look like he'll get above .220 and get more than 10-11 hrs if that...

What happened to this guy?

If he ultimately is benched this year -- would he stick around for future seasons just to collect the pay-check? Is there such a thing as shaming a guy to retire or cut a settlement deal? What's the psychology of being demoted to bench duty and collecting 25mil ?

I think he should get paid for this year, and if he can't play anymore - just let the Phils make a reasonable offer to buy out the rest of his contract - maybe another 10mil or 12mil paid as 2mil a year for 5-6 years - and retire enjoy his life. No team is going to trade for him, not even a team with DH if he can't show any power anymore and or get up to .250

This is sad.

If Utley remains sub .250 all season,I think he should be benched or let go too.

I'd rather see suckitude from AAAA-ers or journeymen I have no emotional stake in. It's cruel to see our heroes like this...

Lots of big 1Bmen flame out early.

People have been comparing him to Cecil FIelder almost since he came up.

RBI man

RIP man

WhiteyFan wrote:I donated.

lol

Philly the Kid wrote:[Truncated]

I know he always struggled some with left-handed hitting

Don't think he hit many from the right side.

You must be thinking of Victorino, but he's not a Phil anymore so I'm not sure where you're going here.

Ricky Bo smashed Hamels post game the other night, new status quo? Does wonders for their value organizationally, Right?

Now Howard may be a lost cause or he might not be, but do I root for him to K every AB? Do you?

What can we do is the question, and the answer is never easy. So for now, you go big man, beat the funk in your own way. I'll still be watching and rooting.

Adrian Gonzalez has 22 hits in his first 40 AB of the season. He could go 0-for-60 and still have a better average than Howard at 100 AB.

philliesr98 wrote:

Philly the Kid wrote:[Truncated]

I know he always struggled some with left-handed hitting

Don't think he hit many from the right side.

You must be thinking of Victorino, but he's not a Phil anymore so I'm not sure where you're going here.

pitching, r98, he meant LHP. Contextual interpretation is the key to a good life.

Bucky wrote:

philliesr98 wrote:

Philly the Kid wrote:[Truncated]

I know he always struggled some with left-handed hitting

Don't think he hit many from the right side.

You must be thinking of Victorino, but he's not a Phil anymore so I'm not sure where you're going here.

pitching, r98, he meant LHP. Contextual interpretation is the key to a good life.

thnx Bucky --

If I'm the Phillies -- I bench Howard. I tell him, 'it's nothing personal, but we need to let youngsters get a chance, you will get paid but if you want your outright release - we'll happily negotiate a fair settlement -- if not, you are the 25th man on the roster..."

I just wonder if his pride would prohibit him from just sitting there for 2 years collecting money. A former MVP who can't get ABs in front of Freddy Galvis...?

If Howard just said -- pay me my 25mil for this year, and give me the 10mil buy out for 2017 -- I'll walk away and let you off hook for 2016. That would still be 35mil for nothing.

But I guess if you've had money issues, and have a chance to make 60mil or 35mil ....

Philly the Kid wrote:
But I guess if you've had money issues, and have a chance to make 60mil or 35mil ....

After some soul-searching, I've realized that I'm not the sort of person that would walk away from $25 million dollars just to benefit my employer, with or without money troubles. I'll try to get over the shame.